Page 4 of By Any Beans Necessary

Jeff shut off the water and reached for a paper towel. He dabbed futilely at the wet fabric, aware that Winston's gaze was fixed on him. "I wasn't expecting that, you know," Jeff mumbled to the German shepherd. "Our spectacularly unplanned combustion, but I also shouldn't have been surprised by it. We never had a problem with chemistry. That was always there. It was about the fact I couldn't give her what she wanted, so I decided to ditch before she got too invested."

He knew it wasn't right, but it hadn't stopped him. It never did, and it was the reason he was still single. Not that he had time to date now that he was starting to train at the search and rescue academy.

"Yep, just another testament to my impeccable knack for ruining a good thing." Jeff gave a dry chuckle, tossing the soggy paper towel into the trash. Winston, sensing the shift in mood, barked once, short and sharp.

Jeff patted his leg, signaling Winston to follow him as he made his way out of the restroom. The cool metal of the door handle felt comforting under his palm, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil rolling inside him.

"All right, buddy," he said, looking down at the dog, "let's go show them what we've got."

"Were you able to get everything under control?" Michelle called out as he re-entered the main part of the shop.

He nodded. "Though I'm not sure how long it's going to last."

"Just remember, you need to deal with one disaster at a time," she told him as she handed him another coffee to go.

"Got it. One disaster at a time," Jeff echoed as he took the offered beverage. "Hear that, boy? We're on disaster duty."

Winston barked with an enthusiasm that made Jeff laugh despite himself. With a final pat on his canine partner's head, he braced himself for the day ahead as they stepped out into the bright sunlight. Jeff cast a backward glance at the Coffee Loft, the bell above the door still chiming from his exit. Michelle stood on the other side, coffee-stained apron and all, with a look that suggested she might just believe in letting go of the past—or at least in the humor of awkward run-ins with exes.

"Come on, Winston," Jeff muttered, tugging gently on the leash. The German shepherd was planted firmly on the sidewalk, nose twitching as it traced the intricate tapestry of scents that Hero had to offer. The academy wasn't far, just a short walk to the edge of town, but if Winston refused to cooperate, it was going to feel like the longest walk off a short plank. "We don't have time for this, buddy."

The K9's response was to sniff a lamppost with increased interest, tail wagging obliviously.

"Disaster duty means being punctual," Jeff reminded the dog, checking his watch.

Ten minutes until he was officially late. That wasn't how he wanted to start his first day at the academy. Danny and Hunter would never let him hear the end of it.

"Seriously, Winston, we gotta hustle." He pulled a little firmer this time, trying to infuse authority into his tone.

Winston finally lifted his head, brown eyes meeting Jeff's own in a stare that said, 'I go where I please.' He took a few steps forward before spotting a squirrel and yanking Jeff sideways.

"Whoa, easy." Jeff staggered, nearly losing his grip but managing to hold onto the German shepherd's leash. He could practically hear Michelle's laughter lingering in the air. It was like an echo from their past when things had been simpler, lighter—before he'd messed it up with a lie so thin it was transparent.

"Okay, okay," Jeff conceded to Winston, who seemed determined to make a mockery of his attempt at discipline. "How about a compromise? You walk nicely now, and later, we'll chase all the squirrels you want."

Winston barked sharply, the sound piercing the quiet morning. To Jeff, it sounded suspiciously like canine laughter.

"Deal, then." Jeff edged forward, coaxing the dog into movement. This time, Winston complied, albeit with a few more sniffs en route.

As they walked, Jeff's mind drifted back to Michelle again. He couldn't shake the image of the way her hazel eyes had held his gaze, the corners crinkling with suppressed amusement. Chemistry, despite everything, sparked between them like a faulty wire—a little dangerous, a lot compelling.

He wondered how she was after all this time. He imagined her line dancing late at night, her laughter echoing through the private garden behind the Coffee Loft. He wondered if she ever thought about him. If she ever regretted how things ended between them.

"Probably not," he muttered to Winston, who looked up at him with a confused expression. "I was never going to be what she needed."

They turned the corner, and Jeff could see the academy in the distance, a large brick building that housed the hopes and dreams of many like him.

"You ready, Winston?" he asked, looking down at the dog. Winston wagged his tail, his eyes bright with excitement. "New beginnings, right?" But the question mark to both inquiries hung heavy, tethered to doubts and what-ifs.

Jeff took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Let's just get through today without any more disasters," he told Winston, hoping the universe wasn't eavesdropping. Because, with the way things were going, he could use a little cosmic leniency.

Winston seemed to sense the urgency now, his strides matching Jeff's. They reached the academy doors with minutes to spare. Jeff pushed them open, stepping inside with a blend of relief and trepidation.

"Made it," he breathed out, a smile threatening to break free—until Winston decided to halt abruptly, nose down, tail up.

"Not again," Jeff groaned, realizing that disaster duty was more than just a figure of speech when it came to life with a K9 partner like Winston.

"Come on, buddy, let's not do this again," he begged as the seconds ticked by. "I'll give you any treat you want when we get back home tonight."

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